EDITORIAL: Voters must register by October 9; early voting about to start

Today, just a little more than a month out from the presidential election, you may not be enamored of either candidate, much less those running for governor, U.S. House, U.S. Senate or a host of other state and local races, but don't cut yourself out of the opportunity to vote. You could change your mind between now and the Nov. 6 election day, and where would you be if your aren't registered?

That's why we bring up today the very simple fact that in order to vote, you must be registered. If you voted last year or in a recent election, you are likely ready to go in this November's election. But if not, you need to make sure you are signed up, and you should probably do it this week. According to the Indiana Secretary of State's office, the deadline to register is Oct. 9 — that is next Tuesday.

You can go to IndianaVoters.com to get information on registering and voting. At that website, you can confirm whether or not you are registered and you can register there, if need be.

Two other facts important to know going into the stretch run — if you are registered or plan to register, you will need an identification with a photograph in order to vote. Even if you don't drive a vehicle, you can get such an ID card at your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles Office.

And second, once you are registered, and especially if you live in Vanderburgh County, you can vote early at a number of voting centers, beginning Oct. 8 and running through Nov. 5. If you will be out of the city on election day or if you don't like standing in the long lines of voters on election day, this is for you. However, voting is at different times at different sites. A news story Monday on page 3A of the Courier & Press listed the times and locations.

Early voting will take place at five libraries, Central, McCullough, Oaklyn, North Park and Red Bank, noon to 6 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays. The libraries will have Friday voting, noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 19, Oct. 26, and Nov. 2.

Early voting will also occur at the Election Office in the Civic Center, Downtown. That will be on Oct. 8 to Nov. 5, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Nov. 5, voting will end at noon. On Oct. 27 through Nov. 3, (Saturdays) voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

That's plenty of opportunities to avoid the Election Day crowds, but remember, you can't do it at all if you aren't registered to vote.